Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
REMARKS
Council Member Alexa Avilés' opening remarks on immigrant affairs and budget concerns
2:12:46
·
4 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés, chair of the committee on immigration, delivers opening remarks for the FY2026 executive budget hearing for the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). She emphasizes the importance of supporting immigrant communities, criticizes the proposed budget for inadequate funding of legal services and language access, and expresses concerns about federal immigration policies and their impact on New York City.
- Avilés highlights recent incidents of immigrant detainment and the need for better funding of organizations providing direct services to immigrant communities.
- She criticizes the administration's reactive decisions, under-investment, and missed opportunities in addressing immigrant needs.
- The council member calls for dedicated funding for unaccompanied minors and expresses alarm at the administration's approach to immigrant protection.
Alexa Avilés
2:12:46
Thank you so much, chair.
2:12:48
Good good afternoon.
2:12:49
I'm council member Alexa Villes, chair of the committee on immigration.
2:12:52
Thank you all for joining us at this fiscal twenty twenty six executive budget hearing for the mayor's office of immigrant affairs, otherwise known as Moya.
2:13:02
I would like to thank my fellow council member, chair Brannan, for joining me at this joint hearing, and I also would like to thank commissioner Castro and other members of the administration who are with us today.
2:13:13
I wanna take a moment precious and ongoing contributions that immigrant New Yorkers make to our city every single day, culturally and economically.
2:13:23
Immigrants are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and a vital part of the fabric of not only New York City but the country as a whole.
2:13:31
And yet daily we've seen our federal government threaten the safety and vitality of our immigrant New Yorkers.
2:13:37
Just this weekend, a high school student in the Bronx was detained after showing up to what he thought was a routine court date and ever since has been prevented from receiving desperate medical care or service from his legal counsel.
2:13:54
Stories like this will only become more common in our city under this Trump administration, particularly if we are not funding the organizations that provide the direct services and or education to immigrant communities.
2:14:08
I would also like to recognize that the work the city has undertaken to support immigrants' health, particularly in expanding access to care through initiatives like New York City Care and providing emergency health services along with disease prevention care to those who most cannot afford it regardless of their immigration status.
2:14:30
These are critical steps to ensure that our new neighbors remain healthy and we commend the city agencies and community partners working tirelessly to meet the needs of our diverse communities.
2:14:42
Our city government is the last line of defense in providing crucial services to our most vulnerable communities.
2:14:50
That being said, we must also be honest about the gaps that remain and how the proposed fiscal twenty twenty six executive budget misses the mark of further supporting the enormous work that community based organizations are doing on the ground.
2:15:07
Prioritizing and adequately funding legal services.
2:15:11
Again, adequately funding legal services and language access should not be negotiable.
2:15:17
These are essential components to adjust an equitable city.
2:15:21
And when these supports fall short, it impacts the lives and livelihoods leaving our new neighbors and old neighbors vulnerable at every moment they need for stability and protection.
2:15:34
Further compounding this challenge is the federal house approved budget reconciliation bill which proposes new penalties for states that offer healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
2:15:46
This is deeply troubling development that threatens New York's ability to continue using state funds to support essential care.
2:15:53
It risks widening existing disparities and could undermine our long standing commitment to being a city that welcomes and cares for all.
2:16:03
We cannot claim to be a sanctuary city while simultaneously scaling back the very support that makes that vision real.
2:16:11
This administration has had both the time and the resources to build a comprehensive and compassionate response.
2:16:18
Unfortunately, we've seen much of reactive decisions, under investment, and very much missed opportunities.
2:16:25
New York City has long been a safe haven for immigrant communities including the growing number of unaccompanied minors who arrive here seeking safety and stability.
2:16:35
This young population faces tremendous challenges navigating immigration court alone and the executive budget lacks any dedicated funding to address the to address this unique need.
2:16:49
Canceled contracts also has meant loss of hundreds of jobs in New York City as well.
2:16:55
This administration and the council has a responsibility to ensure that reflects our values and acknowledges the truth of this time.
2:17:06
And yet throughout the budget exercise we see the administration acting like nothing is quite happening in the broader context and it would much rather waste taxpayer dollars in advancing Trump's agenda than harnessing everything in our city's power to protect immigrants.
2:17:21
It is unconscionable, highly alarming, and profoundly harmful to immigrant communities.
2:17:27
Before we hear from Moya, would like to thank committee staff, Carolina Gil, Florentine Cabor, Nicole Gata, Rebecca Barilla, as well as my dedicated staff, Edward Serna and Christina Bottega for their unwavering commitment and hard work.
2:17:43
With that, thank you, chair.